Tag Archives: Diversity

The Trailblazer in Aging Awards presented by the National Council on Aging (NCOA)recognize the unique contributions and leadership of individuals and organizations working to empower every person to age well. The Awards honor those committed to ensuring that each of us is able to age with our best possible health and economic security. Continue reading →

At MHAC, health equity is central to our promotion and support of Age-Friendly communities that work for all. Among our core strategies is a focus on embedding access, equity and inclusion throughout our efforts.

This set of resources from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation can benefit those helping to guide their cities and towns towards becoming more Age- and Dementia Friendly. The site provides helpful knowledge of what it means to have health equity present in a community, and how stakeholders can take steps to achieve it. Continue reading →

Proof of momentum in the Age-Friendly movement can be seen with new communities joining the network of cities and towns, but also with the funding opportunities that advance not only local efforts, but also the broader healthy aging work of stakeholders.

The Healthy Aging Collaborative hopes the following three funding programs will be the first in a new periodic series that raises awareness about funding support for Age-Friendly activities. Continue reading →

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation today announced new community investments of more than $1.1 million. The eight new grants reflect a commitment to advancing inclusive policies that create thriving and vital communities that work for people of all ages. For 2017, Foundation community investments top $3.15 million, including 30 new grants and on-going support for 15 multi-year initiatives.

“Communities have greater interest in age-friendly initiatives. There’s a growing understanding of the critical role older people play. They are an asset to community, and their voices and insights are invaluable to the public discourse on what communities need,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan and president of its Foundation.

The Foundation’s new grants support initiatives to engage and train more advocates to participate in policy discussions; extend dementia-friendly programs to new communities; and address gaps limiting access to services and healthy, nutritious food. All are aligned with the Foundation’s focus on support for communities that work for everyone.

Massachusetts Senior Action Council (Quincy, MA)Seniors Power Up!
To organize and train diverse low-income older people in Massachusetts to use their collective voices to influence key public policy issues affecting their lives and their communities. Two-year grant for $150,000.

Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (Providence, RI)Senior Voices for Aging in Community – Year 3
To engage low-income seniors and develop them as community leaders with the capacity to effectively advocate for policy change. One-year grant for $50,000.

SeniorCare, Inc. (Gloucester, MA)Age and Dementia Friendly Cape Ann
To work with four Cape Ann communities to establish the first combined age- and dementia-friendly effort. Three-year grant for $190,650.

Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island (Providence, RI)State of RI Alzheimer’s Five Year Plan Update
To support the update of Rhode Island’s five-year plan on Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders. One-year grant for $15,000.

The new grants engage nearly 80 community organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

At its 35th anniversary annual conference, held in Boston, Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) presented the GIA Diversity Award for 2017 to the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. Jackie Jenkins-Scott, a member of the board of directors of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and former president of Wheelock College, accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation and its grantees.

Ms. Jenkins-Scott observed, “A key tenant of our work is honoring the community and meeting them where they are. This includes listening, following and doing what is needed to ensure their success.” Continue reading →